Money News

Direct Line: Fuel theft increasing

Tue 7th Oct 2008

Thieves are stealing fuel from cars as the price of petrol and credit crunch take their toll, insurer Direct Line has reported.While theft from old cars is relatively simple, criminals are now taking on more sophisticated methods in order to drain expensive petrol tanks.Particularly at risk are four wheel drives as they have large tanks and greater ground clearance.Direct Line said they can carry around £80 of petrol or £100 of diesel.Drivers are urged to keep cars locked up or parked in well lit places, check when leaving a petrol station to see if they are being followed and make sure that their insurer will cover them for stolen fuel.Direct Line recently stressed the importance of replacing child seats in cars after an accident.Its research found that more than 20 per cent of parents do not realise that even after a low speed collision, child seats and restraints need to be replaced.